I Made a Mistake in my Confession. Can I Cancel it? - Chapter 17

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 17

Lillian’s parents’ spending grew increasingly extravagant. Not content with recklessly buying luxury goods, they threw parties every single day. Now they had even reached the point of freely withdrawing money from the bank using Kartan’s name. To them, Kartan’s money was like an inexhaustible spring.

Baron Dante returned home fuming with anger before even half a workday had passed.

“Damn it, I told them I quit today! People can drink and be late sometimes in life. They had the nerve to give me grief about it!”

His momentum was so fierce it seemed like he might spit on the floor. Lillian, who happened to be home on leave, held her breath, worried the sparks might fly her way.

Originally, Baron Dante had been a drifter who wandered around under the pretense of doing business. Then, through Baron Jeffrey’s introduction, he had been working as a low-level administrative staff member at City Hall.

“They give a measly salary and exploit people!”

“You did well! You need to do bigger things in the future, so there’s no need to cling to some lowly position. Take this opportunity to ask His Grace the Archduke for a proper position.”

“I should do that. I’m so disgusted that I just… ugh.”

Baron Dante put his feet up on the table and lit a cigarette. Seeing this, Lillian hurriedly brought over an ashtray, worried the ash might fall. Baron Dante pointed to the gift boxes piled up in the corner and asked her.

“What’s all that? Did your mother go on another shopping spree?”

“No. His Grace the Archduke sent them.”

“Ah, come to think of it, today’s the day we’re supposed to dine at the Archduke’s residence.”

“That’s right.”

Only then did Baron Dante straighten up and stare intently at Lillian.

“But you, what’s with that appearance? How vulgar, tsk.”

Cigarette smoke suddenly puffed out and swept across her face. Lillian coughed repeatedly.

“Mother chose this dress for me… *cough cough*…”

“Hey! Come here for a moment!”

At Baron Dante’s call, the Baroness appeared humming a tune. In her hands was the jewelry box that Kartan had sent to Lillian.

“Honey! Isn’t this absolutely beautiful? This necklace is apparently the blue diamond worn by the last princess of the Rogman Empire! Don’t you think it would suit me perfectly?”

“Is that important right now? Why did you dress her in something like this? Make her dress more modestly.”

“Oh my, it’s just pretty, what’s wrong with it? This kind of revealing dress is perfect for seducing men!”

While the two bickered, Lillian quickly ran to the window and gasped for air.

A moment later, Baron Dante’s sigh could be heard.

“Sigh, and give that blue diamond or sapphire or whatever to Lillian.”

“What? But…! She’s still young and pretty! What does she need something like this for?”

“It’s obvious. Anyone can see His Grace the Archduke personally selected it.”

Only then did the Baroness remove the necklace and hand it to Lillian.

“Lucky you, girl.”

At the sarcastic tone, Lillian simply bowed her head deeply. She could tell it was expensive and fine, but it was far too extravagant for her.

‘If I ever lose this, I’ll lose my life along with it… What should I do? Should I return it? But that doesn’t seem proper either…’

After pondering, Lillian decided to put it back in the drawer for now. As she was carefully transferring the necklace to the jewelry box, worried it might get scratched, Baron Dante spoke from behind her.

“It really is a beautiful necklace.”

Then he took the necklace Lillian was holding and pretended to examine it closely.

“You should wear it, Lillian.”

Lillian couldn’t refuse his hands as he put it on her directly. The blue diamond sparkling on her slender neck felt like shackles binding her body.

* * *

The dinner at the Archduke’s Residence had a better atmosphere than expected. Until the butler brought the bill.

“Master, Bank President Whitton has brought the advance payment bill.”

Instantly, the Baron and his wife, who had been laughing while drinking tea, looked at Kartan with tense faces.

“We had quite a lot of expenses this month.”

“Well, once word got out, everyone kept asking us to treat them. But we couldn’t just ignore it considering His Grace the Archduke’s reputation… We’re sorry time and again.”

Listening to their continued words, Lillian was confused. That was because she had only known about him paying off the dowry debt.

“What? What do you mean? So you’ve been receiving money from His Grace the Archduke all this time?”

Instantly, the Baroness shot Lillian a sharp look.

“Oh my, what’s wrong with this child? We help each other out, what else? Are we strangers?”

“Still…”

Before she could do anything about it, His Grace the Archduke casually signed the bill. Feeling ashamed, Lillian just lowered her gaze like a criminal.

A moment later, Baron Dante brought up a different topic.

“By the way, I heard the National Treasury was heavily depleted relocating those people from the slums to the new territory. I’m sure His Grace the Archduke handled everything properly, but I wonder if too much was spent.”

“That’s true. The Imperial Family’s finances probably aren’t that abundant. They’re even saying they’ll scale down the upcoming Sun Festival celebration. I already bought so many dresses… It’s so disappointing.”

When even the Baroness poured out complaints, Lillian found herself in an awkward position.

“M-Mother.”

“What, did I say something wrong? We can say this much between us. This is all for His Grace the Archduke’s sake. There should be someone to give bitter advice from the side.”

“But…”

He might get angry at them for commenting on state affairs when they didn’t even know much about it. Especially when they had already spent His Grace the Archduke’s money.

Lillian tried to restrain the Baroness again. But at that moment, Kartan unexpectedly answered first in a surprisingly polite tone.

“I understand that you’re disappointed, but this time it couldn’t be helped. Security within the capital city is also an important matter.”

“…That’s right. After this Sun Festival ends, His Majesty will have to marry, so we can’t waste the National Treasury… Come to think of it, Your Grace must have many concerns too.”

Looking uncomfortable, he just slightly raised the corners of his mouth instead of answering. At this, the Baroness clapped her hands as if suddenly remembering something and went even further.

“Ah! Come to think of it, I have a nice girl among my cousin’s nieces – how about her as a bride candidate for His Majesty?”

“Well, it wouldn’t be good for national opinion to be divided. It would be nice if Your Grace also had trustworthy confidants by your side.”

Baron Dante subtly glanced at Kartan. He just savored his tea without saying anything else. At this point they should have tactfully withdrawn, but the Baroness excitedly chattered on.

“Oh my, how about taking this child into service? Actually, it’s embarrassing for me to say this with my own mouth, but I think our child could handle even a minister’s position! It’s too much for His Grace the Archduke to handle all affairs alone, even substituting for His young Majesty.”

Only then did Lillian realize that this dinner had a different purpose. She anxiously watched Kartan’s expression, and sure enough, she could feel his face gradually growing colder in real time.

‘What if something terrible happens…!’

It felt like watching a volcano about to erupt. She had to stop it somehow!

“B-by the way, this tea is really fragrant. You must use good tea leaves.”

Even trying to change the subject was useless. Cold sweat flowed in the chilly atmosphere.

‘I wish someone would help…!’

Clutching her skirt, Lillian trembled with fear. How could she get through this crisis? It would be better if she could just evaporate right now!

Finally, a deep sigh came from Kartan’s mouth. To Lillian’s ears, it sounded like thunder.

“Well, it’s worth considering.”

At this point, Lillian began to feel confused.

‘Why isn’t he getting angry?’

She thought that perhaps His Grace the Archduke might have a different purpose as well.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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